Cameroon acquits two men sentenced for "looking gay"

January 07, 2013|Reuters

YAOUNDE, Jan 7 (Reuters) - A Cameroon appeal court on Mondayoverturned the convictions of two men found guilty ofhomosexuality and sentenced to five years in jail forcross-dressing and wearing make-up.

Homosexuality is illegal in Cameroon but recent incidentshave highlighted growing tension between a largely conservativesociety and a younger generation less concerned by the issue.

The two men were convicted in November 2011 and had alreadyspent over a year in prison. Their lawyer, Alice Nkom, who alsocampaigns for gay rights, said the court's decision had beenexpected.

"Their conviction was against the law because they were notactually seen or caught doing anything at the time the policearrested them," she said.

"They were arrested because they were just seen wearingwomen's clothes and because of the nature of their make-up, andonly suspected to be homosexuals, which is against Cameroon law.That is why we appealed."

Three weeks ago, the same appeal court upheld the three-yearjail term of 32-year-old Jean-Claude Roger Mbede, found guiltyof homosexual conduct because he sent a text message to anotherman saying: "I'm very much in love with you."

Nkom, who also defended Mbede, said she hoped the supremecourt would overturn that ruling.

"A man cannot be found guilty of practising homosexualitysimply because he sent a message to another man to say he loveshim. At least two persons of same sex must be caught doing theact before they are arrested and convicted."

European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said atthe time that the criminalisation of homosexuality in Cameroonwas incompatible with international human rights law.

Homosexuality is illegal in many African countries. InCameroon, the penalties range from six months to five years injail. In 2011, there were 12 convictions.